Day 52 – Guadalajara to Alcala de Henares

Day 52                                             9/9/16

 

A tough day on the technical side. My back wheel was badly buckled! So I looked for a bike shop called Bikes in Box. I went round and round in circles but all I found was a car repair place and a brothel.

So made a start at gone 2 pm. I had to stop at McDonald’s for loo and wifi. Locked the bike with my  alarm chain. When I returned the number code didn’t work and the alarm annoyed a packed McDonald’s for 20 minutes while I tried to smash it. The whole Pripyat bus stop cheered when I finally managed to stop it.  I would not make a good thief.

Found a bike shop 10 miles away; chose my route very carefully avoiding potholes. Got here and brilliant shop was shut today.

I found the  tourist office and a beautiful girl helped me out. The shop didn’t open until 6 pm so waited outside and met Kelly and her mum. We had a great chat and mum warned me to cover up gold chain to beware of thieves.

At 5.40 Guillem arrived and said he could fix it there and then. We chatted lots about my trip and he did a great job. He asked about SPC and is going to look it up to try and improve his English. It must have taken over an hour. He then checked the weight of loaded bike and I went to pay. He said no charge and I was dumbstruck as the price on the desk for a wheel rebuild was €70. So he said I could give him €5. Got a photo and bid him farewell.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I found the hotel Kelly recommended but no room for the bike so she directed me to one nearby. A lovely guy on reception let me put my bike in his own room at the back and charged me €20.

Lots of beautiful girls in this town. I just witnessed a group of Harley bikers  go past. Went back into bar for another beer and asked which town I’m in. They must think I’m totally crazy to not even know where I am!

Hostel has good wifi even in basement. So made a few calls and now in Tempranillo wine bar with Rioja blanco and tapas.

 

Watching bats over the church. I love this place.

 

 

I’m beginning to take in Spanish life. It’s 23.40 and there are people out having a good time everywhere and most are beautiful.

 

 

Beautiful people:

 

 

 

(Ermintrude : I think these pictures speak for themselves! Brian is really enjoying Spain.

“Boing!” Says Zebedee “Time for bed”)